Updated:

Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Status and Underrated Greatness in Sports and Society Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Written by Human No AI

The Meaning and Impact of GOAT Status

People frequently hear the phrase “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) in all facets of society. People are curious to know who has had the most achievements in their field. People consume their time discussing who succeeded the most, although there is frequently no clear solution.

This phrase is most commonly used in sports, as supporters debate the “Greatest of All Time” for several days, weeks, or months. To be recognized as a GOAT, a person should have consistently excelled at the pinnacle of their sport while leading their team to victories (Higgins 296). Responsible parties should be fair when making decisions to prevent underrating some persons because GOATs in life contribute to changing the world for the better. It is fair to have particular people who are greater in different walks of life. This is due to the undeniable fact that certain individuals are superior to others in terms of strength, intelligence, or other skills.

It is simple to pinpoint the greatest figures of the ages, the most talented musicians and artists, the smartest thinkers, and those who have advanced humankind. These individuals are unquestionably more gifted than most others in their respective fields. Since no two people are born with similar traits and abilities, humans are not all created equal. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that various people have varied skills.

GOAT Debates and the Value of Competition

Additionally, considering people more in particular areas of life is vital because it fosters fair rivalry. For instance, there has been a debate on whether Ronaldo and Messi are the best in soccer. Ronaldo’s status as football’s GOAT and Messi’s continued consistency and greater effort have led to a healthy rivalry in the sports world (Anderson et al., 21). For other contestants, this rivalry raises the bar; they must work harder to be excellent.

The general public and national allegiances determine who will be a great person. Nevertheless, how excellent a player is seen also depends on the traits involved, and many individuals are already aware of whom they will choose. A person’s actions and behaviors, as well as how they affect the well-being of others, are how one displays their greatness.

For instance, a sportsperson must possess various qualities to be regarded as the GOAT. These include aptitude, leadership, constancy, endurance, and the capacity to persevere in the face of difficulty. Employing these qualities to determine who is outstanding is crucial since it enables all parties to better understand their strengths and shortcomings. Everybody will strive for these beneficial qualities, which will contribute to creating a positive world.

The Issue of Underrated Greatness

There are a lot of other underappreciated athletes who always need more credit for their abilities and contributions. In most instances, these undervalued athletes have the unfortunate circumstance of representing unpopular or small teams, or greater names on their teams overlook them. Edouard Mendy, one of the top goalkeepers globally, is among soccer’s most underrated players.

The Senegalese worldwide, who came from Rennes as an entirely unidentified, is now making an amazing contribution as Chelsea’s goalkeeper. He was a significant contributor to the club’s second championship victory. He earned the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Season prize and was the first African goalie to win the UEFA Champions League title (Daramola). Even still, very few supporters can claim Mendy as one of the top goalkeepers in the entire globe. Few people are aware of the player’s true talent.

Humans have been curious about who has had the most success across various fields. This is especially true in sports, where supporters debate the GOAT for days. Considering people greater in some areas is vital because it fosters healthy competition and contributes to a happier world. However, there are instances of undervalued people who rarely quite get the credit they deserve for their abilities and input to society. To prevent underrating any people, the relevant parties must stay impartial when making such choices.

Works Cited

Anderson, Christopher J., et al. “Messi, Ronaldo, and the Politics of Celebrity Elections: Voting for the Best Soccer Player in the World.” Perspectives on Politics, vol. 18, no. 1, 2019, pp. 91–110. Web.

Daramola, Enitan. “Edouard Mendy Becomes First African Goalkeeper to Win UEFA Champions League.” WuzupNigeria, 2021. Web.

Higgins, Joe. “.” Journal of the Philosophy of Sport, vol. 45, no. 3, 2018, pp. 296–317. Web.

Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2026, January 8). Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Status and Underrated Greatness in Sports and Society. https://ivypanda.com/essays/greatest-of-all-time-goat-status-and-underrated-greatness-in-sports-and-society/

Work Cited

"Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Status and Underrated Greatness in Sports and Society." IvyPanda, 8 Jan. 2026, ivypanda.com/essays/greatest-of-all-time-goat-status-and-underrated-greatness-in-sports-and-society/.

References

IvyPanda. (2026) 'Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Status and Underrated Greatness in Sports and Society'. 8 January.

References

IvyPanda. 2026. "Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Status and Underrated Greatness in Sports and Society." January 8, 2026. https://ivypanda.com/essays/greatest-of-all-time-goat-status-and-underrated-greatness-in-sports-and-society/.

1. IvyPanda. "Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Status and Underrated Greatness in Sports and Society." January 8, 2026. https://ivypanda.com/essays/greatest-of-all-time-goat-status-and-underrated-greatness-in-sports-and-society/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Status and Underrated Greatness in Sports and Society." January 8, 2026. https://ivypanda.com/essays/greatest-of-all-time-goat-status-and-underrated-greatness-in-sports-and-society/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, you can request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked, and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only qualified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for your assignment